A west Clare man has appeared in court charged with harassing a local Garda via Facebook.
At Kilrush District Court, Jason Downes (30) of St Michael’s Place Kilmihil, Co Clare appeared in connection with being charged with harassing David King on dates between June 6th and June 16th 2020 contrary to Section 10 of Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act.
Sgt Aiden Lonergan told the court that the very first message appeared online on Facebook and the other two messages were sent to the wife of the member of An Garda Siochana.
Sgt Lonergan said that the maximum penalty on conviction of such an offence in the district court is 12 months in prison.
Advancing the State case to allow Judge Mary Larkin to determine whether she hears the case in her court or transfers the case to the circuit court where more serious penalties apply, Sgt Lonergan handed in copies of the messages sent to Garda King and his wife.
After reviewing the messages, Judge Larkin said: “There are names used here like ’s-h-i-t-t-y a-r-s-e’ but there is another name calling that goes beyond.”
Judge Larkin said that she would require more time to think about the issue of jurisdiction.
Judge Larkin adjourned the case to April 18th to Kilrush District Court to further consider jurisdiction.
